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Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

IHOP is running a

Christmas special

where they now offer a stack of Grinch-green pancakes. Although this is kind of weird, Wing Commander fans are

acutely aware

that sometimes you just gotta

turn things green

. To help kick off the holiday season,

Music_Guru

has recolored the famous flying pancake to be green to match. I kind of like it!

So... we have a green Salthi in the SNES version of wing commander... now we need a green Dralthi to match the pancakes! 8P

Lord help me but I love green palette swaps.

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Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Attention flying pancake fans! Today's all about the Dralthi. First up,

Howard Day

has started building the interior cockpit for the Dralthi in

Wing Leader

. The preview below compares it to the peek we got in Secret Missions 2. It's off to a wonderful start!

Additionally,

Goliath

has taken Howard's updated Dralthi model and incorporated it into the

Sprite Refresh

, which is another cool WC1-centric project. Whereas Howie is recoding the engine from the ground up, Goliath is finding clever ways to incorporate higher quality assets into the original engine. And it's just fantastic to see how far both projects can go when they work together!

Finally, here's some sprite spinners of the new Dralthi model that we missed posting originally. There's both a standard and ace variant, which is pretty sweet!

Dralthi update for the #WingCommander #Pixelart #Remake! More details, markings. Done before I got

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Today we've got another tiny peek at the incredible Dralthi model under construction in elend's workshop. When we last saw the ship, it was evident how beautiful and faithfully accurate the design was to the original Claw Marks drawing. Now we can get a sense of what the fine panel detail looks like - we can even see within some of the structure down to the plumbing and piping within. I can't wait to see things come together even more!

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Klavs is back with an absolute feast for the eyes. Here's his latest Dralthi! It's just gorgeous and ready to be your new 4K wallpaper image. If you're a modder or modeler and would like to take the craft even further, it's available on Sketchfab. You can play with and rotate the design there. Klavs is also accepting $10 donations at the site to help with medical issues. I hope someone takes him up on that and builds this beauty into a future fan project!

Re-worked the old Dralthi model, fewer UV islands, nicer geometry, and threw a new coat of paint on her in Substance. The orange on the underside cat heads is actually the exact color from the WC1 box art! Really fun working with her again! Hope you like it!

Also, the model is now on Sketchfab! Check her out in all her 3D rotatable glory!

If you'd like the model for your own use, I'm asking for $10 to help with my family's medical bills of late.

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Klavs is back with his latest take on the renowned Rapier medium fighter. He's made quite a few variants over the years, but his latest version sticks close to the original WC1 inspiration. Side by side, there are actually quite a few notable differences in the spaceframe from WC1 to WC2, so Klavs has worked out a creative approach to both the original and "G" variant. The 2660s version pictured below is strongly rooted in the 2650s design, and various changes are shown as outgrowths of that. The results are pretty slick!

Hi everyone, I got to liking the A model rapier so much I started thinking about incremental tech advancements rather than a whole new spaceframe for the C-G models, so I've envisioned that here and I'm really liking the results so far! I think the 'chunkiness' fits the WC-1-2 era much better than the swoopy Rapiers I've done before.

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

FekLeyrTarg was just on a roll this year, so we let him run with yet another cool tech demonstration! He's combined a green screen, the Privateer 3D models archive and some AI-generated scans of his head to create a nifty clip of him flying a Centurion. Not a bad effort at all! There's lots of potential here!

Produced for the Wing Commander CIC's 24th birthday, this is a proof-of-concept of using an AI-generated depth map on a subject in a 3D-generated environment for extra depth and lighting information. Once again, the models used are from the Privateer 3D Archive.

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots Federation ALERT*
A Blue Viper Club dredger has entered the Pegasi Sector PN-T C3-14 system, and may have links with the Kumo Crew syndicate.
The Dredger-class bulk cruiser has taken position near Kumo City, one of five starports recently constructed by pirate warlord Archon Delaine.
Dredger Clans are nomadic communities that travel on the fringes of civilisation, and their ancient vessels are rarely seen. Pilots in Pegasi Sector PN-T C3-14 have been warned to keep a safe distance from the dredger.
Francesca Wolfe of the Wallglass Investigations Agency published her observations:
"The Blue Viper Club is a fiercely independent tribe with an unsavoury reputation. Dredger Clans typically survive by gathering materials and salvage, but these people indulge in more criminal behaviour including drug running and raiding outposts."
"The clan occupies more than one dredger, but these have never

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Orion University has been informed that its ownership claim of the Scriveners Clan dredger is placing its population at great risk.
In the Oochost PC-C c29-0 system, the university's megaship Scientia Aeterna has used override codes to prevent the dredger from departing. But the nomadic tribe's refusal to abandon their home has placed them under great pressure, as observed by freelance reporter Casey Kilpatrick:
"Dredger-class bulk cruisers are the sharks of space – they must always keep moving, constantly gathering raw materials to synthesize into fuel, air and other resources. The Scriveners Clan remained stationary for months while salvaging the Hesperus, but in this system they are trapped without such vital intakes."
"Independent observers are now reporting malfunctions in the vessel's power and life support systems. If the Scriveners maintain their siege mentality, further mechanical

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots' Federation ALERT*
The Scriveners Clan dredger has been fully repaired, following twin initiatives in the HIP 43670 system.
A campaign by supporters of the Scriveners Clan delivered emergency power cells, power converters and power transfer buses to the Alliance of HIP 42371 at Oramus Terminal. A spokesperson for the group announced:
"As a result of our efforts, the dredger has received sufficient supplies to effect repairs. Most importantly, the new power systems mean it will shortly be able to bypass Orion University's override codes and be free to travel the galaxy once more."
A parallel campaign by Orion University's partner Independent HIP 43670 Labour requested deliveries of anomalous bulk scan data, unusual encrypted files and unidentified scan archives to Shaara Gateway in HIP 43670. However, these were not sufficient to convince the nomadic tribe to agree to its offer of

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots' Federation ALERT*
The Scriveners Clan dredger has departed from the Oochost PC-C c29-0 system to an unknown destination.
Freelance reporter Casey Kilpatrick provided a report for Vox Galactica:
"After a coalition of supporters helped them to bypass Orion University's override codes, the Scriveners Clan has finally resumed their nomadic lifestyle. To its credit, the university has finally taken stock of public opinion and agreed not to pursue its ownership claims over the ancient dredger."
"Many in the scientific community have pointed out that the contents of the Knowledge Core, around which the Scriveners' entire culture is based, will now remain a mystery. There are rumours that this tribe of academic researchers have acquired data about the Guardians during their decades of wandering, which was perhaps the real prize sought by Orion University."
"Concerns have also been raised

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

The Artificers Clan dredger has entered the Upaniklis system, where the generation ship Golconda currently resides.
The Golconda, when it was discovered in 3305, was still inhabited with the descendants of its original crew who left Sol in the 22nd century. They accepted the Federation's help to abandon the ancient generation ship and resettle on the Forester's Choice outpost, where their unique culture would remain undisturbed.
The Artificers Clan is a nomadic community living aboard a Dredger-class bulk cruiser, an old design that refuels by scooping raw materials and salvage. Little is known about this particular tribe, which rarely enters inhabited systems.
The dredger's arrival was initially reported by independent pilots. Commander Javi Alvarado gave a statement to Vox Galactica:
"I regularly make trade runs to Forester's Choice. I've made a few friends there, but the Golcondans are

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

*Pilots' Federation ALERT*
The HIP 43670 system is hosting two competing delivery initiatives, each of which aims to benefit the Scriveners Clan.
Orion University has partnered with Independent HIP 43670 Labour, which is requesting deliveries of anomalous bulk scan data, unusual encrypted files and unidentified scan archives to Shaara Gateway in HIP 43670.
The university's campaign was explained by Vice Chancellor Leland Pettigrew:
"Although Dredger J-403 is legally our property, what we value most is the Scriveners Clan's dedication to deep-space research. To convince them of our noble intentions, we are donating scientific data and samples to their Knowledge Core. Our proposal is that they permit us to accompany them on their journey and share in any future discoveries."
An alternative campaign is also taking place in the HIP 43670 system. Supporters of the Scriveners Clan are being asked

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

Captains – would you like to join the Fenris Rangers? Or at least…dress like one? Well, we’re happy to oblige. From May 7th at 8am PT to May 11th at 10am PT, we’re offering Seven of Nine’s outfit from Star Trek Picard free to all players. You can pick it up in the promotions tab of the Zen Store, and then feel free to begin being snarky directly at the Borg Queen, with a rifle in each hand. Enjoy! .share-footer a { margin: 20px 10px 10px 0; background: url(d7afaaa14e96d0d973f76157ae31ec5b1466398539.png) no-repeat 0 0; opacity: .5; display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 60px; padding: 0; border: 1px solid transparent; -webkit-transition: opacity .3s; transition: opacity .3s; } .share-footer .TI { background-position: 0 20%; } .share-footer .YT { background-position: 0 40%; } .share-footer .YT { background-position: 0 40%; } .share-footer .TW {

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Today we've got a look back at Ascii Sector. The project began in the 2000s as a novel ASCII art take on Wing Commander Privateer. If you've been following us for a long time, you'll recall that the project actually won Fan Project of the Year for 2008. However, a few years later, the project removed "Privateer" from the name and started to change up the internal assets to avoid a sense of direct copyright infringement/overlap. I would have argued that there was no practical concern, since the project was fairly low-key and EA has a long history of not worrying about fan projects and mods, but I get it. And then we lost track of things for the past decade!

Fast forward today, and I see that development continued into 2016. Unfortunately, the game's website and associated materials appear to have gone offline in 2022, but you can still find a copy and download the latest version via archive.org.

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

It's been a good week for console ports!

SNES Drunk

has posted their review of Wing Commander for the Super Nintendo. There's a lot to like here, and the author enjoys the art style, background setting, branching missions and most aspects of the gameplay. They especially credit the contribution of the wingmen to the story as well as the impact of their permadeath. The complex controls come off as a low point, but the game has a hard task of condensing all the commands from the PC version into the small SNES dog bone. Overall this is a fair introduction to the game for retro connoisseurs - it's got over 24,000 views in less than a week, so hopefully a few of them are inspired to check the game out!

You must be DRUNK. I'm Shotglass. Welcome aboard the Claw.

Quote from Freelancer News-Bot

Impyness discusses what's going in Dublin between big bad Bretonia and the Mollies Sovereignty Movement.

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Technology company Herculean Machines has begun mass production of its new device, the Duradrive personal computer.

Following the successful performance of its prototype at the Rackham Ultratech Expo, the company has received corporate funding from a range of sources, including Rackham Capital Investments.

Maddox Hurd, CEO of Herculean Machines, told the media:

"As I've said before, what people want is a reliable tool that is tough enough to handle anything. I'd like to once again thank the galactic community for providing the commodities that made our success possible."

There has been no comment from rival CEO Scorpio DeVorrow.

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

Captains! We're happy to announce that you'll be able to enjoy 20% off all Duty Officer Packs, and 20% on everything in the Lobi Store! Captains can select from the following Duty Officer Packs for 20% from Friday, February 1st at 8AM PT to Monday, February 4th at 10am PT. Gamma Quadrant Duty Officer Cadre Reinforcements Duty Officer Pack Fleet Support Duty Officer Pack Romulan Survivor Duty Officer Pack Delta Alliance Duty Officer Pack Delta Pack Federation Pack Klingon Pack Now is a perfect chance to fill your roster and replace those redshirts! .share-footer a { margin: 20px 10px 10px 0; background: url(d7afaaa14e96d0d973f76157ae31ec5b1466398539.png) no-repeat 0 0; opacity: .5; display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 60px; padding: 0; border: 1px solid transparent; -webkit-transition: opacity .3s; transition: opacity

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Princess Aisling Duval marked the start of 3308 by introducing her cousin Hadrian Duval, his wife and their newborn son to Imperial high society.
Entertainment journalist Solomon Helios broadcast a report on the event:
"It's an annual tradition for Princess Aisling to invite the great and the good to her palace on Emerald, although the tragic loss of her father in 3306 meant that last year's gathering was cancelled. This year she made up for it with a sumptuous, glittering celebration of the kind that we Imperials are famed for."
"For the first time, Hadrian Duval and Lady Astrid Minerva-Duval were in attendance. This youthful couple were surprisingly charming for a pair who would once have been arrested on sight. They entertained guests with stories of trading and fighting aboard tiny ships, from the days when their only title was Commander."
"However, the real guest of honour spent most of

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Lady Florence Lavigny is recuperating from a serious illness, but the experience has prompted her to call for changes within the Imperial Family.
Official sources confirmed that the Imperial Mother remains under constant medical supervision at her home on Topaz, following a successful surgical procedure. Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval has now returned to the Imperial Palace on Capitol, and is being regularly updated about her mother's condition.
Countess Guinevere Lavigny, cousin to the Emperor and niece of Lady Lavigny, also visited Topaz. She told a local reporter:
"My aunt is now able to communicate properly for short periods, and is dwelling on the past a great deal. She talks about wanting to bring together our entire family, and resolving minor disagreements which have lingered for too long. This is something that my brother Lucius and I have always felt is long overdue, so I hope she